16 places to spend your Super Bowl Sunday in Charlotte
By Alex Cason
STATS Restaurant & Bar is an 11,000-square-foot sports bar in the University area.
Courtesy of STATS
CharlotteFive
This year’s Super Bowl list of great viewing venues goes beyond what just the rabid football fan desires and aims to find what makes a place to watch a football game the best for you and your fellow fans.
Find which places match your level of cheering or lounging, or maybe it’s all about the food. There’s the local spot below that matches your level of football devotion so you can have the Sunday night experience you’ve been craving as you watch the Kansas City Chiefs take on the San Francisco 49ers.
Why: Perhaps known best for its massive party deck, Brazwell’s should not be overlooked as a sports bar. This neighborhood pub has some classic bar eats and a welcoming neighborhood vibe. “We’re the original Cheers. We’re funny, friendly and polite,” said Jay Neal of Brazwells.
Specials: $5 burgers during the game, as well as $4 Sam Adams seasonal drafts, $2.50 Bud Light, $2 Mimosas and $4 bloody mary bar.
Why: Bulla is known for its fancy small plates, but this Super Bowl Sunday will be centered on the live sports viewing experience. “Watching football at Bulla Gastrobar is like a bar experience and a house party all in one” manager Kenneth Bartlette said. “With huge hi-def projection screens in the side room and big flat panel TVs around the bar, you can choose whichever vibe suits you.”
Specials: The Bulla Burger with chips is $10, the Coca Brava is $10, a Coca Margarita is $10 and all draft beers are half price.
Near Lake Wylie in Clover, The Cove offers a 120” projector screen for Super Bowl viewing. Courtesy of The Cove CharlotteFive
Why: For those near Lake Wylie, you may enjoy the 120” projector screen at The Cove. This drinking hole caters to locals but also welcomes newcomers and has a full menu available. “Full surround sound will be playing throughout the restaurant,” owner Andrew English said. “Super Bowl here is going down — big time.”
The Cove will have its “No dog in the fight promotion,” where everyone in attendance will pick a team and if the team you pick wins, you and your teammates win a $10 gift card to The Cove.
Specials: $3 mimosas and $5 bloody marys.
Crown Station’s NoDa location is bigger than its original location in Elizabeth. Courtesy of Crown Station CharlotteFive
Why: AfterCrown Station moved from its small Elizabeth Avenue spot to a larger warehouse in NoDa in 2017, the party size increased along with it. Crown Station is “the type of place that has a community built around you. When I’m here, I’m greeted with a smile, a hug, and a ‘how you doin’?’ I don’t come here for the drinks, I come here for the lively, beautiful people that congregate to you to you from the bartenders to the patrons that enjoy you. [Crown Station is] special. Never change,” said patron Daniel Jones.
Specials: $5 wells, $5 mimosas ($8 double mimosas) $7.50 Tito’s bloody marys, a 49ers drink and a Chiefs drink. Food is free, we’ll have burgers and snacks, other football goodies
Devil’s Logic Brewing offers multiple large screens for Super Bowl viewing, including a 170” projection. Alex Cason CharlotteFive
Why: With large indoor and outdoor areas to relax and spread out, this new brewery is uniquely qualified for big and small groups alike. There is a 132” screen in the event space and a 65” screen in the tap room — even their massive 170” projection will be showing the game on the wall of the exterior side patio. There will be food on site as well.
“I like that the brewery is in the city. Most of them are on the fringes. Devil’s Logic has a great city-feel, like it’s connected to the city and neighborhoods” patron Joe Howarth said.
Divine Barrell will host the Puppy Bowl Extravaganza on Super Bowl Sunday in partnership with RescuedMe, a local nonprofit. Courtesy of Divine Barrel CharlotteFive
Why: It’s not just the Super Bowl Party — there’s also the Puppy Bowl Extravaganza before the big game even starts. “We’re so excited to be partnering with RescuedMe, a local nonprofit that rescues, fosters and tries to get these pups adopted. We’ll be partying to fundraise for them,” said James Amato of Divine Barrell.
RescuedMe will be bringing 12 pups to participate in Divine Barrel’s all-day version of a puppy bowl. Show up to play and snuggle all the dogs and participate in a silent auction. There will be live music by Claiborne Williams from 3-6 p.m., and the Super Bowl will be shown via projector with sound on once the game begins.
Free Will Craft + Vine has self-pour beer, and it’s a dog friendly place to watch the big game. Courtesy of Free Will Craft + Vine CharlotteFive
Why: If you enjoy a pour-your-own-beer situation, then Free Will is your kind of place. With 60 Taps (50 beer, 10 wine/seltzer/cider) there’s no shortage of beverage options. Also, it’s dog friendly.
“It’s a great spot for hard to find beers from local breweries and beyond. Plenty of TVs and all the games. Not to mention it’s a self-pour, so you never wait for a beer. Drink at your own pace, sample all the things, watch all the sports and play all the games. A great addition to the neighborhood.” manager Sheranda Pfeifer said.
Why: The bar has 27 TVs and 10 beer taps with local brews, a creative cocktail menu and spiked milkshakes with an old-school neighborhood sports bar atmosphere. “Gibson is the Ballantyne Neighborhood Bar where everyone gathers to drink good drinks, eat good food and watch sports,” said Morgan Bowden, events manager at Gibson.
Specials: $2 mimosas, $4 bloody marys and $2.50 Bud Light all day; $5 burgers during the game.
Grace O’Malley’s offers an array of televisions, a huge projector screen and a new draft system is going in this weekend. Courtesy of Grace O'Malley's CharlotteFive
Grace O’Malley’s is an Irish bar with an array of televisions and a huge projector screen. For those searching in Matthews, this may be your place. “We still have that really cool, cozy Irish Pub/neighborhood bar atmosphere.” managing partner Rachel Kamen said. “Our new draft system is actually being installed this weekend, so it will be up and running in time for the big game, with 10 beers on tap.”
Specials: All appetizers are buy one, get one free, and there’s a massive variety of wing sauces.
Why: With 12 TVs, a heated rooftop patio and a covered heated lower patio next to Bank of America Stadium, the football vibes flow from the bar onto the streets of this newer uptown venue. This pub has sweeping skyline views and is walkable from anywhere in Center City.
Specials: $40 Super Bowl buffet with 2 drink tickets, wings, hot dogs, mini pizza pockets or$20 Super Bowl Platter with nachos, tenders, fried pickles, Asian glazed cauliflower.
Drink specials include$13 buckets of domestic cans and$20 buckets of seltzers (White Claw, Truly, Natural Light, Bud Light)
Catering specials: 25 wings $30, 50 wings $55, 100 wings $100; 10 tenders for $20, 25 tenders for $40, 50 tenders for $65.
Why: The press box has so many TVs there really is no need to turn the lights on at night — over 70, in fact. There are three projector screens and two full bars. It’s also a pool hall, so if the attention span starts sputtering, then you’ll have something to do other than twiddle your thumbs and read awesome CharlotteFive articles.
Specials: $2 Bud Lights and Yuengling Drafts and $6 Courvoisier.
Why: Sammy’s is known for its casual comfort food and its cozy vibe, but it lights up the bar with TVs and 37 taps at this unpretentious neighborhood pub. If you live in Belmont or close by, then wander over and test out its Super Bowl party hosting skills. They have taken the Rob Lowe approach to choosing sides and have decided not to pick a favorite before game time and name their specials in honor of both teams.
Sanctuary Pub in NoDa has eight wide-screen TVs spanning the length of the bar, plus more spread throughout for Super Bowl viewing from every seat. Alex Cason CharlotteFive
Why: NoDa’s famous dive is long and gigantic with eight wide-screen TVs spanning the entire length of the bar. Even more televisions are conveniently throughout the pub so you can see the game from any seat in the house. Sanctuary packs in the locals on Sundays during football season with rabid fans and great Birdsong beer specials. “Regular season or Super Bowl, Sanctuary is NoDa’s home for football,” bartender Larry Kohler said.
Specials: Birdsong pints are $3, including Higher Ground IPA, Jalepeño, and Lazy Bird Brown. Tall or call liquor drinks are $4, except for whiskeys, which are $5. For the thriftsters, there are $2 PBRs and High Lifes.
Why: STATS Restaurant & Bar is an 11,000 square foot sports bar in the University area of Charlotte that will open at 3 p.m. for the big game with a DJ, door prizes and games. You’ll have plenty of viewing space amid the 50+ HDTVs or massive TV wall. Or go big with a private suite with full bar. Hookahs are available and there’s an outdoor cigar patio (with TVs, of course). Bottle and a full menu will be available.
Specials: $18 domestic beer buckets, $6 Jack family, $8 Remy, $5 house vodka.
Tyber Creek Pub is a Kansas City Chiefs bar and is planning a pig roast and Missouri-style BBQ . Courtesy of Tyber Creek CharlotteFive
Why: Tyber Creek Pub claims it is Charlotte’s only Kansas City Chiefs bar, and it just happens to be KC’s first time in a Super Bowl since 1970, so the timing is right to have a Super Bowl LIV party with the dedicated Chiefs fans here. There will be a pig roast and Missouri-style BBQ with various sides for those who come hungry. There will also be some halftime giveaways.
“We have enjoyed hosting the Chief fans during this incredible season and are excited to be throwing their Super Bowl party. Throughout the season we have developed a great bond with the fans and can’t wait to celebrate with them on Sunday,” said Heather Sonnentag, Tyber Creek’s general manager.
Large projection screens will be showing the game at VBGB, and specials include a $15 Super Bowl Platter including nachos, 8 wings and 3 burger sliders. Courtesy of VBGB CharlotteFive
Why: Often the warm-up bar for music fans, this beer garden is nestled in the heart of the AvidXchange Music Factory. “That atmosphere lends itself to camaraderie and community, which is perfect for football watching,” owner Kara Taddeo said. There are at least 20 beers on tap and a frost rail for those wanting theirs chilled. Large projection screens will be showing the game inside.
Specials: $2 PBR and $4 well liquor drinks.
There is a $15 Super Bowl Platter: VBGB’s Tortilla chips with beer cheese, fire sauce, roasted red peppers, fried jalapenos and sour cream with choice of chicken, 8 wings with celery and ranch or blue cheese and 3 burger sliders with cheddar cheese, sauteed onions and bacon.
A $10 giant pretzel — double the normal size. Served with beer cheese, spicy mustard and whole grain mustard.
A $5 Dessert Platter: cinnamon sugar sweet potato fries and your choice of 2 King of Pops.
One of the best ways to entertain your friends is to blow them away with some of the best brisket and pulled pork in Charlotte from Sweet Lew’s. Get your order in no later than Friday and smash out at your own house party.
